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PS21 update week ending February 6

The launch of the PS21 War Risk Survey, Whitehall, November 11, 2015 (Ana Kovacs)

The US presidential primary campaign is hotting up on the side of the pond while in Europe, the migrant crisis is continuing to put the EU under more pressure and a UK Brexit referendum is, we can only assume, also getting closer…

We have some more great events lined up for February in New York, London and Washington. If you would like to join our team, e-mail PS21central@Gmail.com for further details.

This event has been postponed and will not be wrapped into the discussion below the following week.

Monday, February 15 — “Insurgent Candidates” — Trump and Sanders. What do they mean and can they win?

Within both the Democratic and Republican parties, the 2016 election has seen almost unprecedented challenge to their political establishments and status quo. What do the rise of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders – both very different politicians from each other but also to the more conventional figures in their parties – tell us about the state of politics and America? Where does their support come from, and perhaps the most important question, how far can they go?

With the mosquito-borne zika virus on the rise in Latin America and with thousands of babies apparently already brain-damaged, how can global health authorities possibly respond? What does the science say and where are the gaps in our knowledge? And with some countries already simply recommending women avoid pregnancy, what kind of international and local health response would prove appropriate?

Panelists will include NYU assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology Taraneh Shirazian

A discussion examining the experiences, challenges and roles of front-line expatriate civilian staff — from military contractors to aid workers, journal in modern conflicts. — who find themselves increasingly on the frontline involved in conflicts. Panelists will include U.S. Army War College anthropologist Darya Pilram, humanitarian security specialist Sheelagh Brady, acting director of the International News Safety Institute Anna Bevan and former British Army officer and defence attache to Yemen Iain Smailes. The discussion will be moderated by PS21 company secretary Tom Beazley.

This event will take place at the Christian Aid office in Waterloo. Sign up here

Also: save the date for the following.

Monday, February 22 — Predicting the US Election

In conjunction with Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, PS21 looks ahead to this year’s presidential election. Panelists to include US-based pollster Julia Clark from Ipsos Mori as well as Andrew Moran, US politics expert from London Metropolitan University. Further details to follow.